Part C : RBI/FEMA
Given below are the highlights of certain RBI Circulars.
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 5, dated 22-7-2009 : Issue
of Indian Depository Receipts (IDRs).
This Circular makes operational the rules/guidelines for
issue of Indian Depository Receipts by companies resident outside India
through a Domestic Depository.This Circular also lays down criteria for issue, purchase,
transfer and redemption of IDR. Some of the important points are as under :
IDR must be
denominated in Indian Rupees.Financial/Banking companies having presence in India, either through a
branch or subsidiary, will have to obtain approval of the sectoral
regulator(s) before they can issue IDR.The company
issuing IDR will have to immediately repatriate the proceeds of the issue.IDR can be
purchased, held and transferred by persons resident in India, FII & NRI.
Provisions of FEMA will not be applicable to investment and transfer of IDR
by persons resident in India. FII and NRI will have to comply with the
provisions of Notification No. FEMA 20/2000-RB, dated May 3, 2000, as
amended from time to time. Further, NRI can only invest out of funds held in
their NRE/FCNR(B) accounts.Automatic
fungibility of IDR is not permitted.IDR can be
converted into underlying equity shares after one year from the date of
their issue.Listed
Indian companies and Indian mutual funds, registered with SEBI can sell or
continue to hold the underlying shares, subject to the terms and conditions
as per Regulations 6B & 7 and 6C, respectively, of Notification No. FEMA
120/RB-2004, dated July 7, 2004, as amended from time to time.Other
persons resident in India, including resident individuals, have to sell the
underlying shares within a period of 30 days from the date of conversion of
the IDR into underlying shares.Provisions
of FEMA will not apply to the holding of the underlying shares, on
redemption of IDR by FII, including SEBI approved sub-accounts of the FII,
and NRI.